LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

I parked at Great House Barn and walked along the drive to Rivington Hall. I took the right turn on the gravel track before the Hall for a short distance to another gravel track. I then followed a small arrowed sign to the left alongside the Hall. Access to the moor had changed to allow for a conservation area. I passed through the gate by the Hall to a broad track uphill to a gate at the base of the terraced garden. I kept steadily uphill and missed the artificial waterfall. I should have followed the path near the edge of Brere's Meadow. My chosen path arrived at the Japanese Garden pond. I explored the gardens to the north to find the Great Lawn long walk etc. I skirted the gardens to climb the rough track to Rivington Pike. I tried to follow the Walk 164 route and followed George's Lane to the south to find the access gate to the Pike. There were excellent views across the plain with the Reebok Stadium very prominent to the south. The Snowdonia mountain range was visible on the horizon to the west. The Winter Hill aerials were prominent to the east, on the moor. It was a steep push to the tower for the ultimate views all around. I descended to the toilet block on Belmont Road. I then took the level track parallel to Belmont Road, just inside the gardens, to emerge on Belmont Road again at Pigeon Tower Folly, also called the Dovecote Tower. I followed the very rough track from the Folly to the car park. Just after the car park I took the track to Hall Brook, the ravine continuing to Rivington Hall. I returned down Rivington Hall Road, again to Great House Barn. I detoured to Liverpool Castle and returned again to Great House information centre. I bought some Rivington leaflets and some postage stamps before the planned price increase. It had been an excellent walk in good weather.

Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk
Start & Finish: Great House Barn, Rivington Hall

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